How to Write 摩 (mó) — Meaning “to rub”

Imagine you are using your hand (手) to rub hemp (麻) fibers to make them soft and smooth. This visual of rubbing hemp between your hands directly connects to the character's meaning of "to rub."

The top part 麻 is wide and covers the lower 手; note that 麻 is written with the dot of 广 (radical) first, then 林 inside. The lower 手 must be centered and slightly compressed so the character doesn't become too tall—avoid making the hand too large.

搴 (qiān) means "to pull up" or "to lift," while 搿 (gé) means "to embrace" or "to hug." Visually, 摩 uses 麻 on top, 搴 uses 寒 (cold) with a hand radical, and 搿 uses 合 (together) between two hands. Their meanings are distinct: rubbing vs. pulling vs. embracing.

摩 appears in common words like 摩擦 (friction, conflict) and 摩托 (motorcycle, from "motor"). It is also used in the idiom 摩拳擦掌 (to rub one's fists and palms), which describes getting ready for action, often before a competition or challenge.

Common words containing 摩 include: 摩擦 (mó cā) — friction; 摩托 (mó tuō) — motorcycle; 摩平 (mó píng) — to smooth out (by rubbing).